Colorado: Free fishing this weekend

Posted on June 1, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Relatively low river flows make for good angling this year

Trent Park, Silverthorne, Colorado.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — After the earliest snow-melt on record, many Colorado rivers and streams are already running clear and warming up. And with flows projected to drop off quickly going into summer, the upcoming free fishing weekend might be the perfect time to get into the groove of the season.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife traditionally sets aside the first full weekend in June to promote sport fishing. For this weekend only, anglers do not need a valid fishing license in order to wet a line. The state fishing report is online here.

“Fishing is one of Colorado’s most important outdoor traditions and a great way to hook kids on healthy outdoor recreation,” said Greg Gerlich, aquatic section manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. “Free fishing weekend also gives anglers who haven’t fished for a while a chance to reconnect with the simple pleasure of being on the water.” (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Colorado State Parks, Dillon Reservoir, fishing, recreation | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Colorado: ‘Trophy hunter’ sought for questioning

Posted on March 24, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

A mule deer in Colorado. PHOTO COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE.

Wildlife officers say mule deer carcass was left to rot in a dump near Granby with its head cut off

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — State wildlife officials are asking the public for help in tracking down a trophy hunter who left a headless mule deer carcass in a dump site along the Colorado River, a few miles west of Granby.

The carcass was discovered March 20, but based on evidence at the scene, wildlife officers believe the deer was harvested legally during last year’s hunting season, but never skinned and prepared for human consumption as required by law. The condition of the carcass suggests it was dumped only days before it was discovered.

Leaving the meat to waste is illegal in Colorado.

“This was a waste of Colorado’s wildlife resource, and we take it seriously,” said Colorado Parks and Wildlife district wildlife manager Scott Murdoch. “It appears that the person who did this hung the animal after it was killed months ago, but never got around to actually preparing it for consumption.” (more…)

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Colorado forum focuses on collaborative land stewardship

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Partnering on public lands

Collaboration is on the agenda at a March 23 stewardship forum in Grand Junction.

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — Struggling with funding shortfalls and increasing and competing demands on natural resources, public land managers are increasingly relying on collaboration with citizens and user groups to get the needed work done.

The drive toward collaboration, rather than confrontation, will manifest in western Colorado this week, as stewardship groups, volunteer coordinators and citizens gather Friday  in Grand Junction for the Western Slope Outdoor Stewardship Forum.

One of the panelists is Dave Neely, top man for the U.S. Forest Service Eagle/Holy Cross Ranger District, who firmly believes that engaging the public in stewardship of public lands is a big part of maintaining a sustainable economy in Eagle County.

“We need to connect people to the landscape, and we need healthy landscapes to support a sustainable economy … If you think about how people make a living here, so much is tied to the quality of our natural resources,” said Neely, who will be part of an early morning panel on community engagement at the Grand Junction forum. The full agenda is online here. (more…)

Filed under: BLM, Colorado, Colorado State Parks, Environment, public lands, US Forest Service | Tagged: , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Morning photo: Fishing!

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Licenses for the 2012-2012 season on sale; state fishery experts warn against ‘bucket biology’

Fishing in glassy water at a "hidden" cove along the shore of Dillon Reservoir.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Early spring weather might not be the best thing for skiers looking to extend the season, but it could be good news for Colorado anglers looking to get early access to high country lakes and streams.

And with the 2o12-2012 license year just a few weeks away, it could be a good time to make sure you’re ready by buying or renewing your license. The latest fishing brochure, with regulations and other info, is also available where licenses are sold and online at http://www.flipseekpubs.com/publication/?i=99616.

Memorial Day fishing at the Dillon Marina.

(more…)

Filed under: Colorado, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Colorado State Parks, fishing, recreation, seasons, Summit County Colorado | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Colorado to extend OHV monitoring program

Posted on March 10, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Sharing the trails on Tenderfoot Mountain in Summit County, Colorado.

2011 pilot program resulted in 10,000 contacts with riders in problem areas

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Colorado officials will continue an off-highway vehicle monitoring program that has helped increase compliance with off-road rules in Colorado.

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission last week approved $300,000 in funding to extend the pilot program launched last year.

In 201, teams of law enforcement officers from Colorado State Parks, the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management contacted 10,000 individual riders in problem areas identified by environmental and quiet recreation groups, according to state trails program manager Tom Morrissey. (more…)

Filed under: BLM, Colorado, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Colorado State Parks, Environment, public lands, US Forest Service | Tagged: , , , | 4 Comments »

Elk, bighorn sheep studied in southern Colorado

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Bob Berwyn
bighorn sheep

Colorado biologists to study bighorn sheep herds in the San Juans. PHOTO COURTESY CDOW.

Biologists learning more about big game movement in the San Juans

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY —Colorado Parks and Wildlife Biologists are studying how elk and bighorn sheep in southern Colorado move in an effort to better manage some of the state’s charismatic wildlife.

“These studies will help us to learn important information about the elk and bighorn populations in this area of Colorado,” said Stephanie Steinhoff, terrestrial biologist for Colorado Parks and Wildlife in the San Luis Valley.

The studies are being conducted in the south San Juan Mountains on the west side of the San Luis Valley and east of Pagosa Springs.

In the elk study, 25 animals — eight bulls and 17 cows — were captured and fitted with VHF radio collars which allow biologists to track the animals’ movements from the air. The animals were captured in mid-February. At least part of the elk herd migrates into New Mexico, but wildlife biologists are not sure how far they go. (more…)

Filed under: biodiversity, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Colorado State Parks, Environment | Tagged: , , , | 1 Comment »

Colorado: View the ‘sandhill dancers’ in Wray

Posted on March 5, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Greater prairie chicken. PHOTO COURTESY COLORADO DIVISION OF WILDLIFE.

Once-endangered species makes a comeback on the plains of Colorado

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY —The high county may still be snowed in, but out on the plains of Colorado, greater prairie chickens are beginning their spring mating rituals, and through a partnership between Colorado Parks and Wildlife and local ranchers, wildlife enthusiasts will have a chance to view the amazing sandhill dancers.

On weekends throughout March and April, guided tours will available through the Wray Chamber of Commerce, with reservations required (Call 970-332-3484 for more information).

“Many birders visit Wray to see the prairie chickens and mark them off their “Life Lists” for bird watching,” said Josh Melby, district wildlife manager for Wray, ” What they find here is one of the most fascinating and memorable mating rituals they’ll ever see in the wild.” (more…)

Filed under: biodiversity, Colorado, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Colorado State Parks, Environment | Tagged: , , , , | 1 Comment »

Colorado: Public meeting set to discuss makeup of new commission for combined parks and wildlife agency

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

A fox in Breckenridge, Colorado. PHOTO BY DYLAN BERWYN.

Representation of different user groups at issue in debate over the composition of the new Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — The merger between the Colorado Division of Wildlife and Colorado State Parks resulted in the formation of a new advisory board to help set policy for the combined agency.  The composition of that panel has been at issue in a series of meetings and behind-the-scenes negotiations, as wildlife and conservation advocates want to ensure that the makeup of the new panel doesn’t dilute the core mission of the former wildlife agency. (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Colorado State Parks, Environment, public lands, Summit County news, wildlife | Tagged: , , , | Leave a Comment »

Colorado: Poachers nabbed at I-70 checkpoint

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Elk near Bailey, Colorado. PHOTO COURTESY COLORADO DIVISION OF WILDLIFE/JCHURCHILL.

Most hunters in compliance with regs; wildlife officials plan more highway inspections

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY —Colorado wildlife officials who checked hunters on I-70 in November said they were pleased that most of the people contacted during the wildlife check were in compliance with state laws and hunting regulations.

About 300 hunters were interviewed during two-day operation at Loma, west of Grand Junction. Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers issues 22 citations for various infractions including illegal possession of wildlife and failing to provide evidence of the sex of their harvest. One driver is being investigated for being in possession of 78 white bass and two walleye. The source of the fish is still under investigation. Officers seized all illegally harvested wildlife. (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Colorado State Parks, hunting, recreation, wildlife | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Summit County: Accidental moose killings increase

Posted on October 29, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Wildlife managers seeking info on a hunter who have illegally killed a bull moose near Silverthorne in late October

Moose in Colorado

A moose cow and two calfs near Berthoud Pass, Colorado. PHOTO BY BOB BERWYN.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY —Accidental and illegal moose kills are on the rise in northwest Colorado, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers, who say they’ve investigated nine possible accidental moose kills, with seven of these incidents remaining unsolved to date.

In the latest incident, wildlife managers are asking the public for assistance in locating a hunter who may have illegally killed a bull moose near Silverthorne on Oct. 22.

Several people hiking along the Gore Range and Rock Creek/Pebble Creek Trail, about seven miles north of Silverthorne, reported that they encountered a hunter who told them he had shot a bull moose by mistake, but the individual has yet to report the incident to wildlife officers. (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Colorado State Parks, Environment, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news, wildlife | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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